Donald Trump seeks to expand the Board of Peace beyond Gaza, positioning it above the United Nations while promising financial support. UN officials cite the Charter as authority tensions rise over governance, dues, and global diplomatic oversight.
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to significantly expand the scope of his newly formed Board of Peace (BoP), suggesting it could operate as a supervisory body over the United Nations while broadening its mandate beyond Gaza. The remarks have triggered renewed debate over international governance, sovereignty, and the future role of multilateral institutions.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace on Thursday, Trump described the body as an entity that would “almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.” Initially endorsed by the UN Security Council with a limited mandate to help oversee a ceasefire in Gaza and coordinate reconstruction efforts, the BoP’s potential expansion now signals a far more ambitious geopolitical vision.
Limited Mandate in Gaza, Broader Global Ambitions
The Board of Peace was established with Security Council backing to ensure compliance with a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate rebuilding efforts in the war-torn enclave. Trump acknowledged that its current mandate is confined to Gaza but indicated that success there could pave the way for a wider global role.
“I think we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza,” Trump said. “We can do numerous other things. We can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.”
Such remarks suggest a reimagining of the BoP as a parallel or even superior structure to existing UN bodies, a prospect that raises complex legal and diplomatic questions.
UN Responds: Charter Remains Supreme
Responding to Trump’s assertions, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the authority of the UN Charter.
“What is clear, if you look at the Charter of the UN, which remains our guiding principle, the work of the UN is overseen by Member States through the General Assembly and the Security Council,” Dujarric said during a press briefing when asked about Trump’s proposal.
The UN Charter establishes that governance authority rests collectively with its 193 member states, exercised primarily through the General Assembly and the Security Council. Any external supervisory mechanism would require broad international consensus—something analysts say would be difficult to achieve.
Criticism of UN Effectiveness and Veto Power
Trump reiterated long-standing criticisms that the United Nations has “not lived up to its potential.” He has frequently pointed to bureaucratic inefficiencies and structural limitations within the Security Council.
One of the fundamental challenges facing the UN is the veto power held by its five permanent members— the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France— which often prevents decisive action in major conflicts. Critics argue that this system hampers the Council’s ability to enforce resolutions or intervene effectively in crises.
Unlike the multilateral framework of the UN, Trump has often favored unilateral use of US economic, political, and military leverage to achieve diplomatic objectives. His vision for the Board of Peace appears consistent with that approach, combining US influence with a new institutional framework.
Financial Struggles and US Dues
The United Nations is currently grappling with significant financial strain. The United States reportedly owes approximately $4 billion in assessed contributions and peacekeeping dues. UN officials have warned that without payment, the organization could face severe operational disruptions.
Trump pledged financial support, stating, “They need help, and they need help money-wise. We’re going to help them money-wise, and we’re going to make sure the United Nations is viable.” However, he stopped short of explicitly committing to releasing the outstanding dues, despite much of the funding having been approved by Congress.
“We’re going to strengthen up the United Nations,” he added.
Personal Tone and Diplomatic Undertones
Trump described Guterres as a “good man” with whom he has maintained a positive relationship, noting that he expected to speak with the Secretary-General soon. Dujarric confirmed that the UN was anticipating a call, although no conversation had taken place as of Thursday night. Guterres is currently in India attending an AI impact summit.
Despite expressing willingness to cooperate, Trump revisited previous grievances about his visit to UN headquarters in September, including a malfunctioning escalator and teleprompter during his address to the General Assembly.
“They did turn off my teleprompter,” Trump said, adding that an escalator abruptly stopped while he was with First Lady Melania Trump, whom he referred to as a “movie star,” referencing a recent documentary released by Amazon.
Before recounting those incidents, Trump emphasized plans to ensure the UN’s facilities are upgraded, saying, “We’re going to make sure its facilities are good.”
A Legacy-Driven Vision?
Trump framed his ambitions within the context of long-term institutional reform. “Someday, I won’t be here. The United Nations will be. I think it is going to be much stronger,” he said. “I think it’s going to eventually live up to potential. That’ll be a big day.”
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Whether the Board of Peace evolves into a powerful global oversight body or remains limited to its Gaza mandate will depend largely on diplomatic negotiations, Security Council dynamics, and member state consensus. For now, Trump’s proposal underscores ongoing tensions between unilateral power and multilateral governance in shaping the future of international peacekeeping.
